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David Norris has called for Leeds United to bolster their attacking midfield options by signing Joe Willock, amid a report from TEAMtalk that Conor Gallagher has rejected them to join Crystal Palace instead.

The former England under-21 international is back at Arsenal after enjoying the second half of last season on loan with Newcastle United.

Willock’s temporary spell at St James’ Park proved to be a huge success, with him becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive Premier League fixtures since Alan Shearer.

Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta has insisted the 21-year-old remains in his plans but that has not stopped a number of clubs being linked with his services, and Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has publicly admitted he is looking to seal Willock’s return to the north-east.

Willock could also head overseas as, according to French media outlet RMC Sport, Ligue One side Monaco have entered the race for the midfielder’s signature.

But Norris has urged Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa to tempt Willock to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, the ex-Leeds midfielder said: “I think it would be a good signing just from what he’s done and the potential he has got.

“I think it would look a bit like taking a chance at this stage rather than signing someone you know who is tried and tested, and going to come in with some real quality.

“But I still think it would potentially be a good signing.”

Everton have already signed two players in the first week of the January transfer window, and could be set to make their third signing, but not on manager Rafa Benitez’s terms, if rumours are to believed.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, Everton are in talks to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona with Premier League clubs interested in the Brazilian attacking midfielder.

However, the report suggests that there is an internal debate at the club as whilst Farhad Moshiri is keen to do a deal for the player, Rafa Benitez is not on board with the signing.

Coutinho has failed to impress at Barcelona and has been heavily linked to many clubs across the Premier League and Europe, however according to Sky Sports, just two clubs remain in the race to secure the signature of the £380k-per-week player.

Disasterclass

If Moshiri wasn’t able to convince Benitez about a move for Coutinho but signed him anyway, the owner could fracture his relationship with the Spanish manager, and it never ends well when Rafa is involved.

Mike Ashley allegedly felt the wrath of the former Newcastle United head coach when the ex-Magpies owner refused to back him in the January transfer window of 2017, with The Express reporting that the Spaniard demanded answers from Ashley.

The relationship between the pair never repaired, and the problems only escalated behind the scenes until Benitez’s contract expired in 2019.

Sadly, Moshiri could be set for a similar situation if he was to blow the budget on the £16.2m-rated star hailed a “magician” by former Liverpool team mate and Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard.

There are many key areas of concern that Everton need to focus on, as well as finding a solution for the ongoing issues with Lucas Digne during the four-week window, and Benitez will want to avoid adding to the reckless spending habits of the past that the club has become famous for since Moshiri landed at Goodison Park.

The owner has signed 43 players and spent over £500 million over the last five years, not including the two additions this week, with little return of investment considering the club have not won a single trophy in that time and sit 15th in the Premier League currently.

Benitez has clearly attempted to adopt a different direction when it comes to signing transfer targets, just judging by his signings of Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend in the summer, with Gray costing just £1.7m and Townsend joining on a free transfer.

It will be interesting to see if Everton continue their pursuit of Coutinho if the owner and manager cannot agree on the signing, and if he does go to Everton, it will only add to speculation that Benitez’s time at the club is slowly but surely coming to an end.

In other news: Benitez can axe Holgate with Araujo signing

Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek has admitted that he would ‘love to play’ at Celtic Park, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Stryjek profiled

The Polish shot-stopper joined Livingston in July 2020 on a free transfer from Eastleigh and has since been hailed as ‘brilliant’ and a ‘leader’ by his manager David Martindale.

He has made 45 appearances in Scotland for his current employers, keeping 18 clean sheets, and is on just £1,000 per week.

It seems as if he would be open to the possibility of moving to Parkhead one day after watching the Hoops face Bayer Leverkusen from the stands in the Europa League in recent weeks.

The Latest: Penalty save; Hoops admission

Stryjek was the second-best performer behind Anthony Ralston on the weekend in a 0-0 draw, as per WhoScored.

He saved a Giorgos Giakoumakis penalty in stoppage time to salvage a point for Livingston and was talking to the media, cited by The Daily Record, following the stalemate.

The 25-year-old revealed his Glasgow trip at the end of September, before appearing to drop a transfer hint by admitting that he ‘would love to play’ at Parkhead, saying:

“I have been here with a friend to watch them against Bayer Leverkusen this season and the atmosphere was unbelievable. It was so loud and I was thinking: ‘I would love to play here.’

“And then when I got here I was thinking it was going to be really hard with 60,000 supporters shouting and singing.

“But as the game started and for the first 30 minutes I realised there was no singing and it was very quiet. “I didn’t know why but then I heard later there was a protest.

“It was a bit weird but then it all started getting very loud after 30 minutes and it was great. I really enjoyed it.

“We play football for days like these. How can you not enjoy playing in a beautiful stadium like this with 60,000 people watching you play.

“What can be better for a footballer?”

The Verdict: One to keep an eye on?

Joe Hart is Celtic’s number one at this moment in time, but he will turn 35 in April, so the Hoops may want to look at their goalkeeping options beyond the Englishman.

They have Conor Hazard coming through, but he’s been sitting on the sidelines at Parkhead and has made just eight appearances for the club. Meanwhile, Stryjek has already kept two clean sheets against Ange Postecoglou’s side and outperformed Hart on the weekend.

He is nine years Hart’s junior and has put in two impressive performances against Celtic already, so it could be worth keeping a close eye on his development over the coming years.

In other news: ‘It’s a small fee’ – BBC pundit reacts as Celtic make first move to sign ‘incredible’ defender. 

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch will be working with Victor Orta in the hope of enjoying a successful first transfer window at Elland Road this summer.

The former RB Leipzig boss has not yet had the opportunity to bring in his own players since arriving to replace Marcelo Bielsa in February and will now be plotting possible moves ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Leeds Live recently published an article stating that bringing in a central midfielder will be the club’s main priority as they look to bolster their options in that area of the pitch, with Manchester United’s James Garner and Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara named as potential options.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

Long-lasting issue

The Whites have not signed a player on a permanent basis in that position in more than four years, with Adam Forshaw being the last one to come through the door, way back in January 2018.

This shows that the club have neglected that part of the squad in recent years. Mateusz Klich and Forshaw have averaged underwhelming SofaScore ratings of 6.69 and 6.73 respectively this term and have been unable to consistently deliver in the top-flight in the middle of the park.

Therefore, it is now time for Orta to solve that long-lasting issue by snapping up Garner from the Red Devils on a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old has been picking up acclaim throughout the season for his impressive form on loan at Nottingham Forest. He has been dubbed “different class” by teammate Jack Colback, while former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson showered him with praise, saying: “Garner has been exceptional at Forest. He is an example of why players get sent out on loan.

“He can play at the top level and I think he has proven that at Forest. I don’t think he’s one that will go straight into the Man United side but I think there is a first-team role there for him and he will feature next season.”

In the Championship, Garner has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.23 across 34 appearances. He has chipped in with four goals and five assists from midfield, whilst making 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game as he has caught the eye in a box-to-box role.

This suggests that the 21-year-old has the potential to make the step up to the Premier League as he has been outstanding in the second tier, and he has the scope to develop even further at his young age.

He has time left ahead of him to improve and grow as a player to produce consistent performances in the top flight, in the same way that he has been able to do in the Championship, which is why Leeds simply must sign him this summer.

Orta must snap him up to make him a key part of Marsch’s Leeds midfield next season and for many years to come, in the process solving their long-standing issue in that position.

AND in other news, Huge boost: Adam Pope drops 6-word Leeds injury update, Jesse Marsch will be delighted…

Leeds United could yet be active after an exciting claim emerged ahead of the January transfer window deadline on Monday evening…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable Phil Hay of The Athletic, the Whites are assessing their options before the window closes early next week as they look to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad.

“Leeds have been assessing options in case [Crysencio] Summerville leaves. Could only let him go if someone else comes in to replace him. But at this stage, Bielsa wants to keep Summerville,” he said on Twitter.

It comes amid reported interest in Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino, with the 20-year-old academy gem being linked with a temporary exit to 2.Bundesliga side Hamburg SV.

Late moves?

With just a few days to go, it seems as if it may well be a quiet window for the Yorkshire giants, which should be as expected as they very rarely conduct business during the winter.

Only this time it isn’t through the fault of not trying as they have tried to secure a move for RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson but the Austrian champions are unwilling to part ways with a key player before the summer.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-lufc-transfer-rumours-gossip-bielsa-orta-radrizzani-elland-road-updates” title=”Read the latest Leeds news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

As per TEAMtalk, it appears as if a deal is likely to be tied up in due course but Leeds will not have the American international at Elland Road until next season.

However, Hay’s claims have provided fresh hope that some sort of incoming could be due before Monday.

Summerville is reportedly very keen to make the switch to Germany and Bielsa has always admitted that he will never stand in a player’s way, so it’s something that could well materialise over the weekend, thus leaving director of football Victor Orta and his recruitment team needing to find some new options.

As such, supporters around Elland Road should retain a little bit of excitement heading into the final few days of the window. There is a small glimmer of hope that some sort of business will happen – let’s just hope it isn’t Matt Smith all over again.

AND in other news, Leeds United enter race to sign “dangerous” £34m-rated machine, Bielsa badly needs him…

Newcastle United are now reportedly targeting a move for Mauro Icardi after the takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium went through.

The Lowdown: Game time limited

The 28-year-old is currently enduring a tough time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he has seen his game-time becoming limited following the arrival of Lionel Messi from Barcelona.

Icardi has only managed to play the full 90 minutes on two separate occasions so far this season, with many of his appearances coming as a substitute.

The Latest: Icardi targeted

As per Calciomercato, Newcastle are now targeting a move for Icardi ahead of the January transfer window coming up.

However, they will reportedly face competition from both Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus for his signature.

The Verdict: Sign

As money is no object to the new owners, the Tyneside club should be looking to sign the £31.5m-rated Icardi. He should be relatively easy to acquire given his lack of game-time at PSG, and he may be a player who they would consider selling for the right price.

At 28 years of age, the Argentina international is a goalscorer in his prime, and with no fewer than 172 senior goals to his name for club and country combined, he certainly knows how to find the back of the net.

The striker would certainly be a statement signing which should hopefully persuade other global stars to follow him to St James’ Park.

In other news, find out which ‘phenomenal’ ace Newcastle are also eyeing

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is set to leave for free next summer in what has been described by Hampshire Live as a massive boost to Celtic.

The Lowdown: Forster links

The Hoops have bolstered their goalkeeping ranks this summer with the signing of Joe Hart for just over £1m.

He’s played every minute under Ange Postecoglou since arriving from Tottenham, however, before his arrival, Celtic were linked with a move for Forster.

Reports last month suggested that Forster wouldn’t be allowed to depart St Mary’s, but that has all changed going forward.

The Latest: Free transfer

Hampshire Live shared a story on Wednesday, claiming Forster is set to leave next summer on a free transfer when his contract expired.

The report labels it as a massive boost to Celtic, with Forster, described as ‘unbelievable’ by Scott Bain, a long-term target for the Hoops.

The Verdict: Avoid

Even though Dominic McKay will now have the chance in January to tie up a pre-contract agreement for Forster ahead of a free transfer the following summer, Celtic should avoid any deal.

They already have Hart, Bain, Vasilis Barkas and Conor Hazard on the books, so don’t need to add a fifth shot-stopper on £70,000-a-week.

If they hadn’t secured Hart and Ange Postecoglou had the same troubles as Neil Lennon did deciding between Bain, Barkas or Hazard, then perhaps a New Year swoop for Forster could have been a shrewd call, but not now.

It appears as if Celtic may still be keeping tabs on Forster, though, with Hampshire Live continuing to link Forster with another return to Parkhead, so it could be one to keep an eye on over the course of the season.

In other news: Derek Rae shares ‘important’ transfer development in Celtic’s pursuit of Georgios Giakoumakis. 

Celtic face off against Aberdeen at Parkhead today as they return to Premiership action following their loss to Bayer Leverkusen three days ago.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were left frustrated as they lost 3-2 to the German outfit in the Europa League on Thursday night, with Moussa Diaby scoring a late winner for the hosts. Goals from Josip Juranovic and Jota had put Celtic 2-1 heading into the last half an hour, but Robert Andrich and Diaby struck late for Leverkusen.

How many changes will Ange make to the Hoops team for today? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make three changes from Thursday, with Liel Abada, Mikey Johnston and James McCarthy coming in.

Celtic are facing a busy period of games heading into December and they could benefit from utilising their squad depth in the coming weeks. This means that Postecoglou may need to rotate his side and make changes irrespective of individuals’ form to hand some players opportunities to impress and others a chance to have a rest and avoid burnout.

The Australian may be forced into one change, though, as Nir Bitton could miss out through injury. He said after the loss to Leverkusen: “I was a bit disappointed to see Nir come off. In terms of how he is going to be, I’m not really sure. We will assess him, but he has been pretty influential for us and did well to help set up our second goal in Germany.”

We published an article explaining why McCarthy should start, with the Irishman potentially lining up at the base of the midfield.

We also predict that Abada will line up on the right of midfield ahead of James Forrest. The 20-year-old should be handed a start, due to his ability to be a game-changer for the Hoops, with seven goals and five assists this season. He could come in and provide a spark out wide after a disappointing display from the £19k-per-week Forrest on Thursday night – as he recorded a SofaScore rating of 6.2.

Finally, Johnston could start ahead of David Turnbull in midfield. The latter might be offered a rest ahead of the busy December schedule, whilst the former could have an opportunity to show his manager that he deserves more minutes in the team. Johnston has only started once in the Premiership this season, but came off the bench against Leverkusen and created one chance in 18 minutes, showing a glimpse of what he is capable of producing when afforded the opportunity.

AND in other news, Forget Bitton: Ange must unleash “top-class” £14k-p/w Celtic maestro vs Aberdeen…

Many Nottingham Forest fans have been left slamming the display of Lyle Taylor in their 0-0 draw to Luton Town in the Championship on Tuesday night.

The striker endured yet another frustrating game in a Forest shirt, as he could not add to the three goals that he has only managed to score so far this season, and was subsequently hauled off in the 65th minute for Tobias Figueiredo.

Taylor did not put much of a fight up top, losing out on all six of his duels, as he also failed to record a single shot on target, dribble or key pass in the match, losing possession of the ball five times and even picking himself up an early booking midway through the first half (SofaScore).

Nottingham Forest fans on Taylor display

These members of the City Ground faithful slammed his performance on Twitter, with one NFFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he is ‘dreadful’:

“Taylor really is a terrible striker. Tonight demonstrated how the poor depth of the squad is, when you see Taylor, Bong and Cafu on the pitch.”

Credit: @_mrjoey

“If only Lyle Taylor’s arrogance translated to him being a half decent footballer…”

Credit: @95Redss

“Drop your main striker to play a team we aren’t going to probably beat regardless then fail to beat Luton. I will never understand the logic. If Grabban was on that pitch that a different game. Taylor is dreadful”

Credit: @Bobisyour

“Lyle Taylor once again proves to me yet again that he is League One at best”

Credit: @stekallen

“The only thing Taylor has done right is pretend to be injured so we can make the sub”

Credit: @ruddred

“Swap Taylor for Grabban so we can stop playing with 10 men”

Credit: @mikewood77

In other news, find out whose display against Reading was slammed here!

Turkey international Zeki Celik would be an upgrade on Serge Aurier and Tottenham Hotspur should make their move, according to Get French Football News’ Adam White.

New Spurs head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking to strengthen his defensive options following a disappointing campaign which saw the north Londoners finish seventh in the Premier League standings and make do with a Europa Conference League spot.

Aurier and Matt Doherty, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, both struggled to make the right-back position their own.

Celik, who featured for Turkey as his country disappointed at Euro 2020, has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United all said to be interested.

The 24-year-old made 35 appearances and played a key role as Lille upset the odds by beating Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue One title.

White believes Nuno should make signing Celik a priority if he wants to succeed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “He would definitely be an upgrade on Aurier. I have many questions over Aurier’s ability. Seeing him at PSG, I always thought he was a penalty waiting to happen. Celik would be an upgrade at both ends of the pitch, to be honest.”